Good job on the new design, am really liking the new look and features!

I haven’t been able to tell a difference since for a week I missed adding Google Analytics code to this theme after the re-design. So, I will get some grasp of it by the end of this week as to search engine traffic. But, my Adsense earnings seem to be slightly better since the re-design. Again, it could be for some other reasons too. I might get the DoFollow back and not advertise it like before sometime down the line. It makes sense that Google’s PR would take effect more social metrics like the number of comments, RSS feed count, etc when it comes to ranking blogs. We’ll see how that transpires.

Again, thanks for your input. I highly value it and probably would get others here thinking as well.

I like the new design … very attractive and easy to read. As for the dofollow/keyword luv, I know how you feel. I think you make enough useful posts, that you should still get plenty of comments anyway.

Todd

New theme looks great! Especially that logo. Your inspiring me to redesign mine again – although I’m too busy to seriously consider it.

As for KeywordLuv, I totally understand the problem. I’ve started feeling the same way recently – I’m overloaded with borderline spam and I don’t want to be bothered looking at the comments, so I occasionally miss the ones I really want to respond to. I think KeywordLuv and DoFollow etc, is good for getting comments when you first start, but there comes a point where your site may outgrow it. I may even follow your lead, but that would be a big step for me…

As for the SEO effect of not being Dofollow, it will be interesting to see how it affects your search traffic (although the theme change may also have an effect). I’ve said previously, my search engine traffic has grown steadily, despite being DoFollow and using KeywordLuv, and I’ll stand by that. You should see an increase in PR, but it’s only a small part of ranking in the SERPs these days – and there’s talk (unverified) that the search engines are starting to look at social ‘signs’ such as how many comments you get in terms of deciding how popular a site is.

Anyway, let me know what you find! Thanks.

I know what you mean by ‘not too bloggy’. Appreciate that as well.

Chris, great to see you again buddy! I’m waging my way against them.. you know how that story goes. LOL

Keith, thanks buddy. I’ll pass that on to my buddy who did it.

However, I do like the new design. At first glance I didn’t like it, but I do think it better suits the site and content. It is much cleaner as well. I also like that it doesn’t look overly bloggy if that makes sense.

I can definetly respect your decision to no longer be nofollow. I think that if you do do it, you shouldn’t advertise it so openly and you’ll be fine.

Know what you mean about he comment spammers too, they’ve absolutely ruined one of the best bits about blogging.

Rob, makes sense. In fact, I added the byline after the logo was designed. So I might try to get my buddy Suren to do your suggestion as well as add the byline in the logo itself so they line up better. Thanks for the suggestion and encouragement.

Joel, thanks! I happen to love the logo as well but I agree it can be lined up better.